This Message to Michael Draws Both Scorn and Praise

Re: “Open Letter to Michael Jackson by Dawn Steel” (Calendar, June 26, 1995):

I am amazed at the uproar over the lyrics to Jackson’s “They Don’t Care About Us.” Dawn Steel is a film producer. Surely she has heard of freedom of expression. For anyone to accuse the author of “We Are the World” as being unthinking and a racist--indeed “dangerous,” as she put it (and even a bad influence on her kid)--is a real joke. She seems to judge Jackson’s influence entirely on the use of the word “kike” in a song she obviously hasn’t even heard. If she would actually listen to it, she would find that it is clearly a message decrying racism, brutality and victimization.

Historically, the best rock ‘n’ roll has always been on the edge of revolt and even violence. It’s supposed to challenge social conventions. Sometimes it needs to be downright rude. Why? Because shock value often illuminates some human truth.

I’ve known Michael Jackson since he was 12 years old. I’ve written about his life and career for over 25 years. I am certain that he is not a racist.

I do not believe Jackson should have agreed to change a single word of his song. As an American, he should have complete freedom of expression. As an artist, it is his right, if not obligation, to disturb and, yes, even offend the status quo. When did we become a nation so sensitive that we don’t allow an artist to express himself fully and exactly as he sees fit?

I once asked Michael how he feels about those of us in the media who criticize his skin color, his personal life and his eccentricities. He told me: “Besides the fact that words make you think about life--which is good--I believe that in the end words really mean nothing. You’ve got to recognize your own divinity and know in your heart that you are a child of God. If that’s where you live and breath, if that’s who you know you are, then mere words can’t hurt you.”

Sounds like pretty “dangerous” thinking to me. . . .